Northern Prefecture Rivers and Mountains

Chapter 202 Incentive

Huan Hong and Liu Yi schemed and plotted, while Liu Daogui was straightforward and honest.

The simpler it is, the less likely you are to make mistakes, and the greater your chances of success.

Therefore, all the heroes and villains in history who achieved great things were like this, while those who hid behind the scenes and played tricks could never rise to prominence and would eventually be trapped by their own schemes.

Sheyang borders Yandu, and the distance between them is less than sixty li.

At Liu Daogui's command, more than 1,700 people responded immediately, while the other military households did not return because they were building a Buddhist temple in Jiankang.

Among these people were elderly people with gray hair and teenagers as young as eleven or twelve. Fathers were seeing off their sons, and wives were seeing off their husbands. They all went without hesitation.

"Show the spirit and energy of our military households! We can't let those who enlist down, and we can't let others look down on us!"

"The army has supported us for over a year. It's time to repay their kindness. If anyone cowers or backs down on the battlefield and brings shame upon us, don't blame me for being ruthless when they return!"

Several elders were shouting loudly in the crowd.

The crowd immediately became excited, their eyes filled with excitement and ferocity.

Compared to the scheming and backstabbing among the aristocratic families, these people from the lower classes were actually simpler and more honest.

Kindness is kindness, and hatred is hatred; it's clear and unambiguous.

Liu Daogui felt a surge of emotion and shouted, "If both father and son are in the army, the father should return home; if both brothers are in the army, the elder brother should return home; if the only son has no brothers, he should return home to care for them!"

Everyone was taken aback and looked at Liu Daogui.

"This is a military order!" Liu Daogui shouted.

Immediately, half of the people withdrew, leaving only about eight or nine hundred.

Although there were fewer people, their morale was even higher. Every face was filled with determination and pride, as if they were not going to kill or set fires, but to receive some kind of glory...

Liu Daogui's gaze swept over the crowd, all of whom stood tall and proud, their morale high.

"Those who die in battle will receive three times the compensation of regular soldiers in the campaign against the enemy, and their children will be supported by me. The wounded will have their monthly allowance increased to one string of cash! Those who kill an enemy soldier will be rewarded with five hundred coins, and the bravest will be transferred to the regular army in the campaign against the enemy!"

Money is no problem as long as you win; Liu Daogui sets his prices clearly.

Money may not represent everything, but it can solve most of the world's problems.

Instantly, everyone's eyes turned red.

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

These people, who almost always suffer from hunger and live on the brink of death, are so poor they can barely survive. Killing an enemy for five hundred coins is the best deal imaginable.

"Is it true that you're asking me to join the army?" A young man's face trembled with excitement.

Before Liu Daogui could reply, someone next to him said, "For more than a year, your monthly allowance has been paid on time. When has it ever been short by even a penny?"

The old man, leaning on his cane, said shakily, "The military advisor has always treated us well. Even without a reward, our men will go through fire and water without batting an eye!"

"These are the rules. I only have one requirement: you can only win, you can't lose, and you all have to come back alive. Follow me, and there will be even better days ahead!"

Liu Daogui also became inexplicably excited, and suddenly realized something.

So many people are willing to follow me, which means I've chosen the right path, and I should just keep going.

Whoever raises the banner of the Northern Expedition will be favored by Heaven and the people.

The Huan family was just a minor aristocratic clan back then, but Huan Wen persisted in the Northern Expedition, and even though it failed, he still rose to the pinnacle of power.

Now that the world is in turmoil and Liu Daogui has witnessed the incompetence and shamelessness of the aristocratic clans, his ambition is also growing.

"kill!"

One of the soldiers roared to the sky.

This immediately drew a response from the others: "Kill!"

The battle cries shook the heavens and the earth. In the blink of an eye, these eight hundred-odd people had transformed into a pack of bloodthirsty beasts.

The soldiers took out their privately hoarded long spears, ring-pommel swords, long-handled axes, bows and arrows, and armor, piling them on the ground for the soldiers to choose from.

The equipment was poor, mostly broken pieces, and the armor was tattered and covered in rust.

But it just so happens to fit the style of the Celestial Masters sect.

The only worry about the formation was not a problem at all. These people lived together and worked together year after year. They had long been in perfect harmony. Military households were discriminated against and no one intermarried with them. They could only marry each other.

They are all related by marriage, either cousins ​​or nephews, and have a strong sense of community.

With the addition of over two hundred elite troops who came from Lanling, and more than twenty elite soldiers by Liu Daogui's side, a thousand-strong army was immediately formed.

"Let me handle this battle. I'll annihilate them without leaving a single one alive!" Liu Zun laughed heartily.

Liu Daogui glanced at him and immediately refused, "You're too conspicuous; you'll definitely be recognized."

"This whole mess started because of me, so this battle should be left to me!" Liu Huaizhen said calmly.

No matter what, Liu Daogui definitely cannot get involved. He has dealt with Liu Yi's men many times and they will definitely recognize him.

It wasn't that I was afraid they would recognize me; after all, things couldn't be kept secret anyway. It was just that I couldn't leave any obvious evidence. Ideally, I wanted to cause Sima Yuanxian, Liu Yi, Huan Hong, and their respective factions to turn against me.

Liu Huaizhen had not been in the military government for long. He lived a secluded life, was low-key and cautious, and had a weak presence in the military government.

With a little makeup in the style of the Celestial Masters sect, no one would recognize her.

Of course, the most crucial point is that there is no capable person by his side right now. Liu Zun is prone to being blinded by greed and is best suited for charging into battle. Liu Daogui is really not at ease letting him lead a thousand men to plunder Yandu.

Therefore, Liu Huaishen is the most suitable candidate.

“With my elder brother here, we are sure to achieve victory.” Liu Daogui nodded in agreement.

The Liu family members are all heroes on the battlefield.

At this moment, a voice behind him whispered, "I also want to stay and fight alongside you."

Liu Daogui turned around and saw that it was Tan Daoji. Like the Liu family, the Tan family was established by martial arts, and the Tan family members were all good at fighting.

Tan Daoji was tall and handsome, clearly a valiant and promising young man.

Liu Daogui readily agreed, "Great!"

With another day to spare, Liu Huaizhen mobilized his troops, improved the organization, allocated different types of soldiers, and sent scouts around Yandu.

Liu Daogui glanced at the sky and led his troops back to Guangling.

These are extraordinary times. If I am not in the military headquarters, Huan Hong and Liu Yi will inevitably have some concerns.

Liu Daogui mounted his warhorse and was about to leave when a voice called out from behind, "Commander!"

Turning around, they saw the elders leading men, women, and children kneeling on the ground, a dense mass of people, all with wide eyes, but with a strange sense of sorrow.

Liu Daogui immediately turned his horse around and walked up to them. "Stand up! No kneeling! From now on, you are only allowed to kneel to Heaven and Earth and your ancestors. No one else is allowed to kneel to you! Including me!"

Everyone was extremely surprised.

"You are human beings, not slaves. No one is born inferior. Get up!" Liu Daogui shouted.

Slaves only fight for survival; only those with a sense of honor and shame will truly launch a northern expedition.

Sensing its master's emotions, the warhorse reared up.

Men, women, and children then stood up and stared blankly at Liu Daogui.

Liu Daogui waved goodbye, "Take care, everyone!"

Having said that, he led his troops and galloped south...

(End of this chapter)